Just then Lady Severn called Elsie, and Marie Gourdon
and Noel McAllister were left alone for a moment.
She was the first to break the awkward silence, as
she said in her quiet voice, without the faintest shade
of embarrassment in it:

“How do you like this country, Mr. McAllister?”

“How do I like this country? Is that all
you have to say to me after these years?”

“What else can I have to say to you? Is
not this a fine old garden? How brightly the
moon shines!”

“Marie Gourdon, do not speak to me in that calm,
aggravating way. Reproach me! Anything but
this. I cannot bear your indifference.”

“Reproach you? For what? Do you mean
for leaving me? If so, that is an old story,
told long, long ago. I am thankful now you did
leave me. And, Mr. McAllister, I must remind
you that only to my most intimate friends am I known
as Marie Gourdon. I must beg you to excuse me
now; Lady Severn is calling me.”